SriLankan Airlines... My HONEST Opinion (The Long Haul Experience)

Sri Lankan Airlines... My HONEST Opinion (The Long Haul Experience)
The mark of an airline experience, is always the long haul service. So in this flight review, we get on board on of the longest sectors in the airline's network. UL flies nonstop between Colombo and the Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne. This flight wasn't exactly cheap. If you think UL is a bargain basement airline, think again. This one way ticket BKK-CMB-MEL set me back AUD 2400 one way. So was this price worth the journey?
For this second sector, we get to experience the seat, and the fabulous catering. The famous Sri Lankan hospitality is put forward in it's best showing yet. Warm, friendly, chatty... The cabin crew is certainly one of the best I've experienced yet. But the airline isn't without it's flaws. In this video, we explore it.
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[@NowGetThere]

Nice one! Sri Lankan is high on my list of countries to visit. Just not enough holiday time to put a dent on that list!

[@ryansofly]

You should! Don't know what took me so long. Can't wait to do it all again.

[@lilrice7865]

If u do never ever ever travel on a srilankan airlines from Sri Lanka myself went to ---------- for holidays coming back my flight got cancelled without prior notice and they were making a huge fuss to get the passenger accommodation it was a pain in the bum and some guys who took a refund from the airline to get on another they never got their refund to this day I travelled 2 month's back very recent

[@ryansofly]

@@lilrice7865 and thus, it explains my warning at the end of the video. The airline is facing an acute pilot shortage (amongst other issues) which contributes to these delays and cancellations.

[@anguslaing6611]

Just stumbled upon your Channel Ryan... I really like it! Love your sense of humour! Keep it going as much as you can... Good to see you've made Oz your home...

[@ryansofly]

Mate, thanks for tuning in! I've just returned from 2.5.weeks in Europe and a new series would be coming very soon. Hope to see you there. Stay tuned!

[@philipelliott7396]

Ryan, thanks for doing this video. It brings back lovely memories. Before Covid, Sri Lankan used to do about $1500 return Bangkok to Europe return in Business class. (And Singapore airlines Adelaide to Bangkok economy return) We used it years! Just a couple trips was enough points for Bangkok /Hong Kong business return. So for us ,it was the epitome of luxury. Same as you, we loved the food. Oh, we used the stopover plan they have for long stops in Colombo. That worked well.

[@ryansofly]

There's something about UL. I'd do this flight again in a heartbeat! Thanks for watching!

[@nobinkumarchaudhury7139]

Thanks for The Video... Thanks For The Wonderful Naratives... Glad that you Enjoyed Sri Lankan Airlines And Were Very Genuine In Your Comments And Experience With Them... Visiting Sri Lanka Is Surely In My Bucket List

[@ryansofly]

Thanks for popping by! Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and you should visit.

[@wongfrancis]

Im so glad you enjoyed your flight and gave a very honest and unbiased, fair opinion. Sri lanka has long been one of my most favorite countries (been there 6 times) , and their airlines are amazing. I'm looking forward to going back next year.

[@ryansofly]

Enjoy LK on my behalf! I really need to get back there to properly enjoy it. 16 hours is barely touching anything.

[@wongfrancis]

@ryansofly1624 6 time, make a point to visit Sri lanka (at least a week or 10 days minimum, and get ETA online first). You'll undoubtedly fall in love with this treasure island!

[@nilskyproductions]

Excellent video mate thanks for sharing! Regards from Hobart

[@ryansofly]

Thanks for watching!

[@donnadwarika6370]

A very enjoyable video Ryan n great foot😂.Tthanks for posting.

[@ryansofly]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

[@andyjackson4766]

I love your reports and your hilarious ! Keep up the great work handsome man 😊❤

[@ryansofly]

Glad you like them! Thanks for your support eh?

[@desilvacreation]

Sri Lanka airline need to improve a lot I hope in the future they will we are not a rich country but we will improve in the future ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ love Sri Lanka miss you so much

[@ryansofly]

@@desilvacreation thank you...

[@AussieJetSetter]

Fantastic review Ryan thanks for showing off the Sri Lankan experience so well! very much looking at going to Sri Lanka later this year looks like an amazing country! Seriously weighing up whether its worth going to Sydney or Melbourne first to experience the direct Sir Lankan Airlines flight or just go via Singapore, KL or Bangkok etc bit of a dilemma!

[@ryansofly]

In terms of ticket prices, notice in all my reviews I never fly these carriers FROM Australia. Because the fares are simply too expensive. But if that's not an issue, my pick is to go via Melbourne. Sydney is too chaotic for liking.

[@roderick3778]

Another great vlog mate. I had a mouth full of coffee that went everywhere when you described the welcome drink😂 Being One World did you get points and credits? Im definitely interested in taking a flight with them in the near future. Thanks for showing us😊🇦🇺👍

[@ryansofly]

Hahahaha hope you did not spit into your laptop! I'm part of the QANTAS frequent flyer program, all points and SCs went in there.

[@ranjansamarakone6101]

Milk rice served on Sri Lankan airlines is good! Its nice and creamy to a perfection! I am glad you enjoyed it.

[@ryansofly]

So good! Absolutely enjoyed it... Even the crew were amazed I finished everything.

[@sumedhajayasuriya9339]

Great video with unbiased thoughts. Great watching

[@ryansofly]

Glad you enjoyed, thanks for popping by!

[@josephphillips9243]

Stunning menu very nice and the set and service seemed very reasonable for business class. Was that a bumpy landing sure looked like it? Very sad its all finished but have enjoyed the series, thank you. Guess we need to wait patiently now for the next travel vlog. Btw was that Sydney sign still in Melbourne :D

[@ryansofly]

Nah the landing was normal. Just my weak jetlagged hands.... Hahahaha.... Don't forget the missing window, I was also seated waaaaaaay forward than normal holding the GoPro. Yes I was once confused by Sydney signs in Melbourne, I once panicked and thought I landed at the wrong airport! Hahaha

[@jegajega8945]

Perfectly summarised about srilankan airlines. Kudos.

[@ryansofly]

Thanks for watching!

[@lance202520]

Hi Ryan, the best way to enjoy Sri Lankan milk rice is to mix some sambal or some fish curry with milk rice, we use rice as a neutralizer. It's too spicy if you eat them separately (the Chinese way) 😊

[@ryansofly]

Yes.... Indeed this is the way my family eats sauce with rice... Separately. Its actually the Cantonese way... Sharp eye. 😏 I get a bit frazzled when sauce is splashed all over the rice... 🤣

[@leannebree2459]

We are going on them soon Melbourne return. Great to see their service, thank you for this. Curious though why you didn’t go through the Silk Route entry to make the process easier as you were entitled to?

[@ryansofly]

It was my first time in CMB. Didn't even realise there was another entrance for business class until now. Next time I'll remember it.

[@kcvlogs1274]

what an impressive video about Sri Lankan airlines. As a Sri Lankan I'm happy about that.

[@ryansofly]

Thanks for watching. I've always been very fascinated by UL from afar. Glad I took the plunge to fly them. Thanks for watching!

[@kcvlogs1274]

@@ryansofly you are welcome Rayan

[@richardcaldwell9160]

Ooh the joys of being a top class flight reviewer

[@ryansofly]

Food... It's all about the food... 😏

[@shanemapatage710]

Thank you soo much Ryan 😍and we are waiting for you in next time and come again to Sri Lanka and fly with Sri Lankan airlines..you have to come to here at least 2 weeks ..🤭right ..visit Kandy ,ambuluwawa,ella,nuwara eliya,mirissa whale watching,sigiriya,adam’s peak and down south also 🥰❤️

[@ryansofly]

Mate, I'll definitely keep that in mind! Thanks for watching!

[@davidshepherd6104]

Loved your description of the welcome drink 🥂😂😂😂😂

[@ryansofly]

That was the first thing which came to mind as I sat there. And I've waited 6 months till now to say it in the voiceover. Imagine the torture! 🤣

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

I Have Heard Very Good Thinks About SriLankan Airlines Business Class,Sadly I Havent Experience It.Great Trip Report

[@ryansofly]

You should! The food is fantastic! 🤤

[@user-uw7yb6xf7d]

Nice and very good flight. Greetx from Frankfurt. Kai

[@ryansofly]

Danke schoen, Kai!

[@madhusahanwijewardhana9787]

Thank you for flying Sri Lankan Airlines, our national carrier.

[@ryansofly]

My pleasure! Enjoyed it!

[@grahamstevenson1740]

An interesting counterpoint to Josh Cahill's video on Sri Lankan.

[@ryansofly]

I agree with Josh that the airline isn't perfect. Just like the country, it's struggling. But I don't agree with Josh that we should avoid flying the airline. As you saw, they were wonderful.

[@Isuru14]

If you are flying SriLankan Business class out of CMB airport, you have a dedicated premium departure channel called "Silk Route" at Colombo airport where you can drive up to the Silk Route door and get your check-in, bag drop and border control clearance done in one dedicated location. You no longer required to stay in long line with regular Economy class passengers. Next time when you are flying SriLankan Business, use priority check-in at the silk route which is Free of Charge for Business Class passengers flying on SriLankan Airlines.

[@ryansofly]

Haha yes.... I only found about that AFTER this video came out. I'll remember it for the next trip! 😄

[@charithaellapola2285]

Jet lag > sleeping pills > dead to the world until I land

[@brigittelehmann9749]

thank you for sharing i enjoyed the flight greetings from the netherlands

[@ryansofly]

Glad you enjoyed it, danke!

[@brigittelehmann9749]

Dutch is Dank je wel not German

[@ryansofly]

@@brigittelehmann9749 lol of course it is! Silly me... Many apologies!

[@chithralperera8762]

Thx for selecting my national careerer of Srilankan Airlines..

[@ryansofly]

You're very welcome 😁 !

[@colinrenfrew48]

Very entertaining video….laughed lots. Great legs!

[@ryansofly]

Glad I could entertain, so thanks for popping by!

[@OVTraveller]

Hi Ryan, thanks for the update of the chaos at the Colombo International Airport. My spouse and I will arrive in Colombo and depart from there in business on Sri Lanka, in March 2025. Are there specific lines for their business class pax in the security, check in and boarding? Your report seem to report little or no management in the building?! Cheers OV

[@ryansofly]

As business class passengers with UL, just get the taxi to drop you further up from where I stood in the intro. There is a separate entrance for business class ticket holders.

[@debramage739]

Nice work, yes I would fly them. Lots of laughs from me 😊😊

[@ryansofly]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching!

[@AndrewKing-pm5ip]

Srilankan Airlines is the best airline I've ever flew with.

[@ryansofly]

Their food is amazing....!

[@darroncrick9993]

The chaos of CMB airport can be completely bypassed by purchasing the Topaz level departure pack from the airport for about $40 USD I think. Buy online, enter through the business class entrance (not the main entry) 10 minutes to check in pass immigration and personally escorted airside. No need for business class or using Sri Lankan Airlines as it is a service of the airport itself. Use this everytime as it saves up to 4 hrs of hot sweaty frustration of the insane CMB airport.

[@ryansofly]

Sadly I did not know about this other entrance for business class passengers. Silly me for not researching enough. Either way, at least I got the showcase the real CMB... 😂...

[@darroncrick9993]

@@ryansofly Hi Ryan, It is not even restricted to Business class passengers. We were only flying economy. As a comparison; the entrance is before the terminal concourse where all the other taxis, etc bank up. We were airside before others had even entered the terminal building!

[@ryansofly]

@@darroncrick9993 I'm remember it for the next time... 😏

[@OVTraveller]

darrencrick9993. Fabulous information to bypass the chaos described by Ryan. I will seek if my tour managers of Sri Lanka has made this arrangement in Feb/ March 2025 please advise how to get a link to the Topaz level departure at the airport? Many thanks! OV

[@ElephantSoul]

Come back to Sri Lanka to see the elephants

[@ryansofly]

Definitely! Would love to!

[@Zoozoozazow]

Great video

[@ryansofly]

Thanks for watching!

[@sulzs3394]

You should see Heathrow check-in counters.....Lots and lots of queues! and that's a first world country...

[@ryansofly]

LHR is in it's own league... 😆

[@charlesjay8818]

Comparing Heathrow airport with 89M passengers a year (pre covid) to Colombo airport is a bit stupid. Will be much better if we could build a 3rd runway and an extra terminal for that runway.

[@sulzs3394]

@@charlesjay8818 sure! With all those passengers and similar number of immigration counters as Sri Lanka in T3 must clearly be due to my stupidity!

[@sulzs3394]

@@charlesjay8818 3rd runway and extra terminal for the millions of passengers we are NOT getting is the best investment for sure! 🙄

[@charlesjay8818]

@@sulzs3394 what are you talking about your comment makes no sense. Remember in Srilanka the airport operates 24/7 there is no night restrictions or curfew so ques are less when you can spread those passengers over the whole day. Heathrow has night restrictions hence the ques and bottleneck during the day.

[@dimuthwijeratne6107]

You ate very good you tuber. You should do this full time.

[@ryansofly]

Well thank you. Kind words.

[@AndysWorldJourneys]

What? No EGGS? How disappointing Ryan! :) That airport in Colombo is just MAD! And the ceilings are so low it feels so old! We flew out with Sri Lankan home to Melbourne in 2018 economy and the lines were time consuming but even in economy we had a good flight. Jetlag - well on my way home in April I experienced some really bad jetlag. Worse than I have ever experienced actually, I dont usually have problems with it. the first two days back in Melbourne were pure hell. honestly in the past it's almost been a non-event. On the way back from Europe in 2019 we booked 6 hours at the transit hotel at Changi and somehow that did the trick. another great video!

[@ryansofly]

In all fairness, I've been to far worse airports than CMB. So while it looked chaotic in my video, it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. MNL was waaaaaaay way worse. Hahaha...

[@tiaraaajeng]

Hi can you tell me.. do we have to give our covid vaccine to the immigration? Caused next month I’m planning to visit srilanka. Thank you in advance

[@ryansofly]

Nah, I didn't have to produce anything COVID related. Don't even think masks are required anymore in LK.

[@tiaraaajeng]

That’s sounds great! thank u for your response I really have no clue about it.

[@ryansofly]

@@tiaraaajeng just make sure you apply for the correct visa! USD 25 for the tourist visa.

[@tiaraaajeng]

@@ryansofly yeah 2years ago I applied by their official website. And I will do the same thing next month.

[@rukshanrajapaksha6677]

Onboard hospitality and spicy food, Sirlankan is the best. 👍

[@ryansofly]

It really is! Can't wait to do it all again!

[@naveenprajnaratne9645]

Having business you could have used the silk route access

[@ryansofly]

It was my first time in CMB, didn't know about the separate entrance until this video came out. Haha ....

[@SKGGG]

@@ryansofly Just like how you’re clueless and still have the audacity to comment on the civil war!

[@TimEatsandTravels]

Seriously so excited to watch this video as I also only recently took this very flight. I'd like to see how your flight compared with mine and whether service, f&B offerings are standardised. :-) I will admit, I am SO glad that I stayed landside for my 19hr transit. The lines/queues looked immense. OMG the Sri Lankan lounge is all about the food. You and I have the exact same taste buds. Only difference is that I was more of a pig than you and I piled my plate with triple the amount of food you ate. LOL OK, your crew were definitely much nicer than mine! Not that my crew were unfriendly, just that yours were clearly more engaging. I absolutely agree that the food portions are very generous. We ordered exactly the same dishes! The fish curry was SOOO good. So much so, I would fly UL again purely for their catering. You got a second breakfast! Your crew obviously preferred you over me. LOL Very sad to see the end of this travel series.

[@ryansofly]

You should've chanced it at immigration and got out. The lines getting back was great for dramatic effect, but there's a separate line for business class. I just didn't know about it. Look, after dinner the crew clued in pretty quickly I was a vlogger. That being said, I was offered two options for brekky at the beginning because that particular crew was worried I couldn't take chilli. They were fantastic. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

[@user-il8rc1qz2z]

You crack me up!

[@ryansofly]

Ha! Thanks for watching!

[@Dodilafir]

At one point of time Singapore was handling the aviation sector in Sri Lanka I was told.

[@ryansofly]

Oh? By aviation sector, you mean airport management or airline management?

[@Dodilafir]

@@ryansofly Bit of both I guess, they built the terminals I think and managed Air Lanka and donated a 747-200 if I'm not wrong.

[@ryansofly]

@@Dodilafir yes indeed, UL's very first 747-200 and 2 707s came from SQ.

[@Dodilafir]

@@ryansofly great help from SQ

[@ibogeyman]

"Jetlag is a bit*h" lol the best quote from the whole video

[@ryansofly]

Haha thanks mate...

[@ibogeyman]

@ryansofly1624 I spoke too soon.. your description of the coconut water is the runner up 🤣

[@ryansofly]

@@ibogeyman hahahahahaha... I thought looooong and haaaard about whether that should have gone into the voice-over script. I really did. 🤣🤣

[@ibogeyman]

@ryansofly1624 keep it coming man. This is the type of stuff we live for. My wife was heading up the stairs and literally stopped at that 🤣

[@praveen.kumarasinghe6013]

I am using always Sri Lankan air line because of that ❤❤ my experiences incridible many times

[@ryansofly]

Yes they are awesome!

[@MaqAttaq1]

I did this flight in January. No coconut drink 😢

[@ryansofly]

Oh did they run out? Did you ask for it? UL with no coconut water is like Sri Lanka without curry! 🤣

[@umsergio]

No amenity kit ?

[@ryansofly]

There was! I was so jet lagged I didn't film it. Nothing exciting... Non-branded.

[@lasanthanakandala2072]

Thanks Ryan come again

[@ryansofly]

Thank you, I cannot wait.

[@black_chabiya_editz6510]

❤️

[@pommydiva1]

you complimented the crew and food on Sri Lankan Airlines - but of course its going to be fantastic... you were in Business class. I wonder what it was like in Economy, the food and service, because thats the only section I could afford when flying on any airline. youl always get treated like royalty in First or Business class

[@ryansofly]

Sri Lanka is absolutely famous for their hospitality and spicy food. Definitely one of the long flights I was looking forward to. And for an overnight long haul flight, I'd definitely want to fly up front if the price is right. My back can act up flying that distance sitting up. 😞

[@roshangooneratne7008]

Paradise on earth

[@ryansofly]

You can say that again! Truly beautiful...

[@shin267]

Looks like the pilots forgot the landing lights on takeoff 😅

[@ryansofly]

Hahaha.... Are they needed for take off?

[@shin267]

@@ryansofly Yep, so they are more visible to other planes. This is especially important during the night

[@nuwanrabel9220]

❤❤❤

[@sutharsanrajan4926]

Nice Sri Lankan 🇱🇰🌹

[@ryansofly]

Thanks for popping by! Cheers...

[@jdberg4152]

hey there ryan so fly iam jarred here update more of the eva airlines ok pet a pillow okie

[@ryansofly]

Yeah I'll take note of that. I'm flying China Airlines in November though!

[@jdberg4152]

@@ryansofly thats awsome

[@markusting9335]

why not bangkok melbourne

[@ryansofly]

Where's the fun in a non-stop flight? 😁

[@SKGGG]

@@ryansofly Interesting how a complete outsider/foreigner who has not even lived in Sri Lanka for 24 hours is commenting on the civil war from the information he gathered from what he has heard from his friends and media. 🤣 Remember there’s two sides to every story just like a coin 🪙 Don’t believe everything you hear from your friends and the media. Hope you’re a little smart to know that little fact! I’d say next time mind your own business and don’t get involved in other peoples business. You’re a travel vlogger. Stick to that!

[@andreasplus]

Hello Ryan, miss your vlogs...when are you back travelling?

[@ryansofly]

I'm in the midst of travelling through Australia and New Zealand. Go to my community tab of my KZbin homepage or Instagram @rsofly to.follow real time updates. 😃

[@webdevelopersonline]

Objection on that did you know fact😑 Sinhalese never insulted tamil people.. not in the past,present or the future.. ❤ it was truely the politicians who made that separation between us... That includes english govereners, Sinhalese politicians n tamil leaders all.. 😢

[@ryansofly]

It's always politicians with vested interests which cause this generational trauma.

[@timmay444]

A glass of jiz......haha.

[@ryansofly]

Hahaha... Was I wrong? 😏

[@yofdawg]

Oh my underpants😂😂😂😂😂

[@ryansofly]

Hahaha now you know

[@gb_victor7951]

A GLASS OF JIZZ 😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣

[@ryansofly]

Its the first thing that came to my mind as I was handed the glass. Imagine having to wait 6 months to have that out of my system and into the voiceover. 🤣

[@gb_victor7951]

@@ryansofly maybe you could have said 'is this from the captain and first officer?'

[@ryansofly]

@@gb_victor7951 lol very naughty ...

[@Anush970]

Oh my gosh this man is grinch🙄 always complaining 🫨🫨

[@ryansofly]

How in the hell did you get that from what's an amazingly positive review of this beautiful airline and a glowing impression of the country? You clearly have issues so I suggest you sort yourself out up there, mate. 🤷 If you want just positive reviews go watch Sam Chui, perhaps?

[@SKGGG]

Interesting how a complete outsider/foreigner who has not even lived in Sri Lanka for 24 hours is commenting on the civil war from the information he gathered from what he has heard from his friends and media. 🤣 Remember there’s two sides to every story just like a coin 🪙 Don’t believe everything you hear from your friends and the media. Hope you’re a little smart to know that little fact! I’d say next time mind your own business and don’t get involved in other peoples business. You’re a travel vlogger. Stick to that!

[@ryansofly]

Yes... Its amazing isn't it?

[@derylhenriquez2962]

Awesome ✈️

[@ryansofly]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😄

[@sunnysltravels2511]

❤️